Brian Eno’s groundbreaking 1979 album Ambient 1: Music For Airports is to played in the environment it was designed for – an airport – in September.
It is to be performed by a chamber orchestra at Terminal 2 of Manchester Airport on September 20 as part of the Here We Are festival. This fest is the brainchild of the orchestra in question – the Manchester Camerata, which will see them perform music in all ten boroughs of the city in some unlikely places, including skate parks, libraries and shopping centres. And the airport.
Eno’s album is to be performed twice during the afternoon, from 2pm to 3pm and again from 3:45pm to 4:45pm. Be careful not to miss your flight.
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In a statement about the project, Bob Riley, Chief Executive of Manchester Camerata, said: “To be able to partner with such a forward-thinking organisation as Manchester Airport for this concert has been a total dream.”
“Human connection through innovative, fearless and excellent performance is at the heart of Manchester Camerata, and we can’t wait to share this special experience with the travellers at Terminal 2 on the day,” he added.
It’s not the first time someone’s had the bright idea to perform Music For Airports at an airport. Twenty years ago, a New York ensemble called the Bang On A Can All Stars did the honours at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport.
The original album was Eno’s first foray into the world of ambient music and went on to become hugely influential, not least in airports and among airlines themselves. That calming music that you invariably hear when you board a flight – where do you think they got the idea from?
For more information about the Manchester Camerata’s performance and everything they’re doing as part of the Here We Are festival head over to their website at manchestercamerata.co.uk
